How AWS is Enhancing Swedish Water Quality and Biodiversity
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has broken ground on a major water replenishment and biodiversity initiative in Stora Djulö, just outside Katrineholm, Sweden.
The US$4m project will create a new wetland and community recreation space, while reinforcing stormwater infrastructure.
The project is set to help Katrineholm address urgent water management and climate resilience needed in the Sörmland region.
Infrastructure for an evolving climate
Due to complete in 2026, the project aims to reduce flooding, improve local water quality and enhance biodiversity.
The project is located near lakes such as Lake NĂ€snaren, an EU Natura 2000 protected site home to species including the Marsh Harrier and Bittern.
"This groundbreaking represents more than just a water management solution, it's about creating lasting environmental benefits for the Katrineholm community," says Clare Biddle, Senior Manager for Energy and Water at AWS in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
"By supporting natural infrastructure that helps manage stormwater while creating new habitats, we're demonstrating our commitment to being a good neighbour and responsible water steward."
The wetland will act as a natural filter, slowing and cleansing stormwater runoff before it enters sensitive ecosystems, thereby addressing both pollution and overfertilisation risks exacerbated by climate change.
From vision to reality
The concept for the wetland emerged from a 2020 municipal pilot study, which recommended creating buffer zones to divert stormwater from high-risk urban areas.
Now, through a collaboration between AWS, the municipality of Katrineholm and Sörmlands Vatten, that vision is becoming a reality.
âBreaking ground at Djulö Wetland marks the start of a long-term investment in nature and climate resilience,â says Maja Larsson, Project Manager at the Municipality of Katrineholm.
“This has been made possible through a successful collaboration with Amazon, a partnership turning sustainability goals into real impact.”
Göran Dahlström, Mayor of Katrineholm, comments: “AWS’s continued investment in Katrineholm, and their commitment to the environment, will bring many benefits to the area,”
“Thanks to their support, we’ve been able to accelerate the launch of this project which will help enable sustainable growth for the city.
“It will improve our management of storm water, and it will provide our citizens with a new place for recreation and education.”
A multifunctional green space
More than an infrastructure solution, the new wetland will serve as a hub for recreation and environmental education.
“We are deeply committed to being good members of our communities and doubling down on preserving freshwater resources is one of the ways we can demonstrate that,” says Kevin Miller, Vice President of Global Data Centers for AWS.
“By significantly expanding our recycled-water infrastructure, we’re aiming to advance technological innovation while still prioritising environmental stewardship.”
Plans include walking and cycling trails, wildlife observation points and outdoor learning areas for schools and researchers.
“This project will improve our management of storm water and provide our citizens with a new place for recreation and education,” says Mayor Dahlström.
Linda Aldebert, Environmental Strategist for Katrineholm, explains: “We see similar challenges in many Swedish cities, and the collaboration with AWS has helped us deal with this quicker and better than we otherwise would have,”
“The wetland will not only help us protect the city from surges but also reduce pollution in our local lakes.”
Water stewardship commitment
Once completed, the Katrineholm wetland will be one of 28 global water replenishment projects supported by AWS.
Together, these initiatives are expected to return more than nine billion litres of water annually to local communities.
“AWS is committed to building a sustainable business for our customers, communities and the world, and water conservation is a key part of that,” says Manuel Bohnet, Head of Enterprise at AWS Nordics and Baltics.
âAs proud members of the Katrineholm community since we built our first data centre here in 2018, we are excited to support the local environment and provide new recreational opportunities for the community.â
Data centres for conservation
AWSâs efforts to minimise water use extend to its own operations.
In Sweden, AWS uses direct evaporative cooling systems that rely on outside air for 95% of the year, resulting in virtually no water usage for data centre cooling.
On rare hot days, minimal water is used to support cooling efficiency.
âAWSâ new initiative will support communities by easing pressure on local water systems while meeting the needs of the rapidly growing AI economy," explains Howard Carter, President of Water Environment Federation (WEF).
"As part of our strategy to advance the circular water economy, the Water Environment Federation encourages public-private collaboration to drive innovative water solutions.
“AWS’s commitment to recycled water exemplifies how the private sector can work with communities to build a more resilient water future.”
This local approach complements global initiatives such as AWS’s partnership with the city of Umatilla, Oregon, where recycled cooling water is repurposed for agricultural irrigation.
Other global water projects include rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge in India and Indonesia and watershed restoration in Cape Town and São Paulo.
Amazon is the world’s largest corporate buyer of renewable energy and is on track to power its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 target.
In 2019, Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge, committing to net zero carbon by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement.
As AWS drives forward this latest project in Katrineholm, it reinforces a powerful model of how large-scale cloud infrastructure can support nature-based solutions, community resilience and global sustainability goals.
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